Flash light switch



Aug. 4, 1931. ms 1,816,877

FLASH LIGHT swiwcn Filed Sept. 20, 1929 Q 2INVENTO R ATTORNEYS PatentedAug. 4, 1931 UNITED; STATES PATENT (OFFICE EMERSON TOMPKINS, OF

WATER/BURY, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO SCOVILL MANU- NECTICUT FLASH LIGHTSWITCH Application filed September 20, 1929. Serial No. 393,873.

This invention relates to a flashlight switch.

It is an object of the invention to provide a flashlight switch of fewparts, of simple and rugged construction, reliable and dependable inoperation.

It is a further object to provide a flashlight switch having a pivotedoperating member, an improved pivot construction and assembly, andresilient means for biasing the operating member in the position towhich set.

WVith these general objects in view, the in vention consists in thearrangements, eombinations, and details which will first be described inconnection with the accompanying drawings and then more particularlypointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a flashlight embodying thepresent invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the flashlight;

Figure 3 is a plan view thereof;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the rear end of the flashlight; V

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section through the flashlight showing theswitch in open position;

Figure 6 is a transverse section on line 66 of Figure 5, and

Figure 7 is a fragmental view similar to Figure 5 with the switch inclosed position.

The flashlight chosen to illustrate the invention comprises a hollowconducting casing 10 of sheet metal which is advantageously 35 shaped tofit conveniently in the hand. At

the front of the casing is a conducting metallic socket shell 11, whichis threaded for the reception and retention of an electric bulb 12. Theshell is rigidly fixed in the casing and, to this end, the metal of theshell and casing may be crimped together and jointed, as at 13. The rearend of the casing is provided with a hinged door 14 to allow removal andrenewal of the battery or batteries within the casing. As here shown,the door is of sheet metal and has at one edge integral lugs 15 whichpass through openings 16 in the casing and are bent back to form thehinge. The opposite edge of the door has an integral tongue 17 bent torun along the outer side of the casing and having a detent 18, whichmakes a resilient locking engagement behind a struck-out ridge 19 of thecasing when the door is closed.

The invention in its entirety includes a switch for controlling thecircuit from the battery through the light. As here shown, the casingforms a part of the circuit and the switch establishes electricalcommunication between the casing and one terminal 20 of the battery. Thecircuit is from the battery terminal 20, the switch, the casing, thesocket shell, the shell contact to the light, the light filament, theplug contact of the light to the other terminal of the battery which isengaged by the plug contact. \Vhile capable of various constructions,the switch, sh own here as an example comprises an operating switchniemberor arm pivoted in the casing wall and having a portion 21projecting exteriorlv of the casing through an opening thereot formanipulation. The casing may be held conveniently in the hand and theprojecting portion operated by the'thumb. To facilitate such operation,the projectingporticn may be roughened or knurled. In this practicalexemp'lification, the metal of the casing is struck 'out in ridges 22 toprovide internal openfaced bearings, which accommodate pivot spindles 23formed integrally with the switch arm and extending from each sidethereof. The switch arm is further equipped with an internal curvedextension 24 which serves to engage or disengage battery terminal 20 inaccordance with the position of the switch arm, and to make or break thecircuit. The switch arm with its projecting portion, spindles andextension are advantageously constructed in a single metallic piecewhich may ,be stamped or otherwise formed.

Means are provided for retaining the spindles in the bearings and forholding resiliently the switch arm at the position to which set In thisembodiment, said means comprise a leaf-spring 25.positioned on theinside of the casing wall and secured to the wall in a suitable manner,as by a rivet 26. The spring is slotted at 27 to accommodate extension'2{l and bears against the spindles to urge andhold them in theirbearings. As

lit)

here shown, the spindles are fiat-sided, preferably square, and thespring biases the switch arm in the position to which set, either thecircuit breaking position, Figure 5, or the circuit closing position,Figure 6. The switch arm may be pivotally swung from one position to theother by manipulation from the outside oi the casing, as alreadydescribed. The leatspring is advantageously bowed at its rear, 28, andpresses against the battery to hold it resiliently and prevent shakingor moving thereof in the casing.

The switch is assembled by inserting the switch arm inside the casingand placing the spindles in their bearings, then by positioning andfastening the leaf-spring.

What is claimed is:

1. A switch construction comprising means providing open-faced bearings,an operating switch member having spindles fitting in the bearings, anda leaf-spring coacting with the spindles to retain them in the bearings.

2. A flashlight comprising a hollow casing, means providing internalopen-faced bearings in the casing wall, an operating switch memberhaving spindles fitting in the bearings, and resilient means forretaining the spindles in the bearings and for biasing the operatingmember in the position to which set.

3. A flashlight comprising a hollow metallic casing having strucleoutridges providing internal bearings, an operating switch member havingsp' idles fitting in the bearings, and a leaf-spring coact-ing with thespindles to retain them in the bearings, said spring being positionedalong the inside casing wall and secured thereto.

l. A flashlight comprising a hollow metallic casing having struck-outridges providing internal open-faced bearings, an operating switchmember embodying a portion projecting through an opening in the casingand manipulative exteriorly thereof, spindles seating in said bearings,and an interior extension, said projecting portion, spindles andextension being formed of a single piece of metal, and resilient meansto retain the spindles in the bearings.

5. A flashlight comprising a hollow metallic casing having struck-outridges providing internal open-faced bearings, an operating switchmember embodying a portion projecting through an opening in the casingand manipulative exteriorly thereof, fiatsided spindles seating in saidbearings, an interior extension, and a leaf-spring coacting with thespindles to retain them in the bearings, said spring being positionedalong the inside wall of the casing and secured thereto and having aslot for the accommodation of the extension.

6. A flashlight comprising a hollow casing for receiving a battery, aswitch pivoted in i the wall of the casing, and a 1eaf-spring positionedalong the inside of the casing wall and secured thereto, said springholding the switch in pivoted position, the rear end of the spring beingbowed to press and hold the bat tery in position.

7. A flashlight switch mechanism comprising open bearing portions, aswitch lever provided with pivot spindles each having adjoiningrelatively flat surfaces, and a leaf spring holding said spindles insaid bearing portions and by cooperating with said spindles biasing saidswitch lever in set position.

8. Switch mechanism including a casing provided open bearings, a switchlever provided with spindles each having adjoining surfaces at an angleto each other, a leaf spring, means securing said spring intermediateits ends to the casing, said spring on one side of said means having abattery-engaging portion cxtending away from said :asing, and, on theother side of said means having a pair of spindle-engaging arms holdingsaid spindles in said open bearings and biasing said switch lever in setposition.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

EMERSON TOMPKINS.

